Anambra Assembly summons lawmaker for exposing diversion of funds by members
The Anambra State House of Assembly has summoned the member representing Ayamelum Constituency, Bernard Udemezue for revealing details of how lawmakers in the assembly divert funds meant for public good.
The lawmaker was summoned for allegedly sharing contents deemed to be damaging to the assembly on social media.
The House passed the resolution following a matter of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Aguata 2 constituency, Hon Tony Mobike during plenary in Awka.
Hon Muobike described social media posts by Udemezue as not only damaging the reputation of the House, but also threatening the safety of members.
Udemezue a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lawmaker in the assembly which is dominated mostly by members from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) had shared on his social media handles, details of how his co-members collect and pocketed their constituency allowances, meant for projects for the people.
He was said to have also revealed the amount each lawmaker takes home, a sum that is deemed humongous, which the lawmakers feel threatened their safety.
When reached by journalists about his summon, Udemezue said: “Yes, I posted something on social media. That was my constituency’s empowerment fund and my overhead allowance. I did so because before the election, I promised my people that I would be transparent, I also swore before God that if it is for my selfish aim that I was contesting, I should not win, but if it is for the good of the people, victory should be mine.
“Who am I to win a sitting speaker in an election. It was because of that I decided to be transparent. I posted on my social media platform, telling my people what I get as allowance for my personal use and this is what I get for you. I told them plainly that every three months, I get N7.5million from government for them and it was later increased to N10 million.
“But my colleagues decided to summon me because they are not happy that I revealed this. They are not happy that I made it know that the N10 million is for the people and not for the lawmakers.
“None of them are using the money for the people, they keep it to themselves. I have told them many times that this assembly is not popular, simply because we are not doing what we are supposed to do. We are not making the right laws, our duties include lawmaking, representation and oversight. Which of them are we doing well?”
The lawmaker said he is not afraid of the gang up against him, insisting he is sure he did nothing wrong by updating his people of what accrues to them through his representation.
During the plenary, the Speaker, Somtochukwu Udeze who presided over the sitting, referred the matter to House Committee on Rules, Businesses, Ethics and Privileges, who are to report back to the House next Tuesday.
Meanwhile, tongues have started waging about the activities of the state lawmakers, who all along have made it look like the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, was under funding them.
A respondent, Mr Chuka Eze said, “This is the matter that will bring out the true selfish nature of our representatives in the assembly. All along, they portray Soludo as being wicked and not giving out any money to assembly, but the real truth is coming out.
Anambra Assembly summons lawmaker for exposing diversion of funds by members
